The priest also said, “My sisters and brothers…” instead of the common, “…brothers and sisters…” I have heard this occasionally at other parishes as well. Is this some kind of new politically-correct garbage that the Pope began to allow or is it a kind of Catholic guilt symptom?

First let me say that I am sorry that you discovered the Cathedral at the Life Teen mess rather than during one of the “normal” Masses.

The church was indeed constructed in the 1940s but was not constructed as a cathedral. Rather it was a parish church for what was, and still is, a rather affluent neighborhood. It was only elivated in 1988 when the diocese was created. The curious thing is that the free standing altar was placed in its current possition during the original construction, the sanctuary was never “wreckovated,” sadly, it’s always looked like that.

A couple other curiosities is that the “chapel” where you found the Blessed Sacrament housed was originally the baptistry. Also had you crossed the nave to into the other transept and followed the signs you would have found a perpetual adoration chapel.

So I do hope that your experience has not put you off the Cathedral entirely. I hope that you will come back for the high Mass, particularly the pontifical high Mass at CTK. Even though it is the Novus, I assure you that it will be the precise opposite of your unnerving Life Teen encounter.

Joe J.

I agree with you Clara about how chunky and scary this era of church building is. Though, I am particularly disgusted with the “Flying Saucer” phase that seemed to be popular from the 1960s through the 80s. St Mary Our Mother in Horseheads is a typical example. Ugly on the outside and disturbing on the inside. Angular lines, bad “stained” glass. No tabernacle even in the Church proper…they have a “adoration” chapel that is usually locked. The Ambo is located Behind the altar, and the choir is located to the left of the altar. It is a strange place indeed.